Chapter 72
Chapter 72
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: Etilla's Recruitment
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Ester proposed to Etilla that she join the Metal School.
It was sudden.
Even though Etilla had received countless offers like Ester's after solving the Millennium Problem, she still hadn't decided which school to join.
She wanted to carefully choose the field she would devote her life to.
From the beginning, unlike other mages, she had studied magic in every field at an advanced level, which was why she could create the new spell Cross Blend.
Additionally.
She also didn't want to limit herself to a single field.
To surpass her limits, she needed to master many things like Ester had.
"Um...."
Ester gauged Etilla's reaction.
With no response, she sensed a rejection coming.
She began listing the advantages of the Metal School to pique her interest.
"The Metal School focuses on creating magic tools."
However, unlike other schools, it didn't have rigidly defined fields, so it offered a high degree of research freedom.
The workshops were equipped with the latest facilities, including tools Ester had made herself.
It was a much more comfortable and better working environment than mainstream schools.
And ultimately, since magic tools were machines that replaced a mage's spells.
From a broad perspective, the Metal School was the place where one could learn and research the widest variety of magic.
As long as you properly handled your assigned tasks, Ester said you could do personal research as much as you wanted.
"You don't even have to come in...."
But that wasn't what Etilla wanted to hear.
"Why?"
"Huh?"
"Oh, no, I was just curious why you're making this offer to me...."
It was embarrassing to admit, but she was currently the hottest commodity in the magic world.
'Is he trying to recruit me for such a simple reason?'
Of course, it wasn't strange.
It was perfectly normal.
Still.
'I don't like that.'
Her current goal was to catch up to Ester.
It stemmed from the frustration she felt toward him at the academy, wanting to pay it back in full.
But somehow.
If the person she burned with rivalry against every day showed no interest at all, wouldn't that be pathetic in its own way?
His recruitment offer acknowledged her abilities, sure.
Useful tools and worthy rivals were treated differently, after all.
"W-Well, once this Babel ends, the Metal School's reputation will skyrocket, right? The presentation went great, there were reporters, so capable mages will flock to work here...."
The heart of a lady who had just come of age was inherently complicated.
She wished he'd at least acknowledge her a little, even if not fully.
'Even if it's not some grand reason, at least something extra....'
Now it was Etilla gauging his reaction.
She fidgeted with her hidden fingers behind her back and glanced up at him shyly.
"Hm."
Ester stroked his chin for a moment, then spoke.
"Because you're the mage I've met so far who I like the most?"
"I'll do it."
Etilla answered immediately.
If she had dog ears and a tail like a puppy, they would have been wagging furiously.
"But I have a condition. Promise you'll agree, and I'll specially let myself be recruited...."
"Tell me."
Etilla's condition was simple.
Ester looked puzzled.
He had no idea what it meant, but it wasn't a request he couldn't grant.
He slowly nodded.
***
Babel had ended.
According to Professor Aria, this Babel had drawn a record-breaking number of visitors.
It might sound like boasting coming from me.
But I deserved a lot of the credit.
The camera born this year, the antibiotics from two years ago (not a magic tool, but still), the Hell Tanks sweeping the eastern front— all these high-performance inventions had a huge impact on people.
It was only natural that interest would pour in.
-Public attention is currently focused on the magic world.
Good.
This Babel featured great entries like spells from the Celestial School or the Hell Cannon from the Flame School.
But the one that overwhelmingly drew the most attention, the one I could proudly call dominant, was the Metal School's artificial mithril.
-I'd like to propose an investment. When might you have time?
-Please let me know when you're free. I'll head to the Golden Tower myself.
Numerous VIPs from the special exhibition approached me, offering hefty investments.
-It's impossible to tell the real from fake....
-Stupid. It's artificially made, but it's still mithril.
-Incredible. If they can mass-produce it later, soldiers' armor and weapons will all be mithril?
Once it switched to general exhibition, it pulled in even ordinary visitors brilliantly.
Additionally.
Even the reporters from Ustina Monthly, who had collaborated with Livian to promote the movie before, showed great interest in me.
-Marquis? Tower Lord?
-Call me whatever's comfortable.
-Haha, I have a request for you, Marquis.
Ustina Monthly promised to feature artificial mithril and the Metal School heavily in their next issue.
In exchange, they requested an exclusive interview with me.
-Everyone is dying to hear about Marquis Sephirond. From Tristy Young Master to Marquis Sephirond....
Exclusive interviews weren't just from Ustina; other media outlets had requested them before.
Back then, wanting a peaceful daily life, I'd turned them all down, but things were different now.
In the long term, to keep producing dopamine hits from my inventions, I needed the press.
If games are the analogy, the press is a premium megaphone.
Having a tool to draw widespread attention when needed was a smart move.
I judged there was no harm in getting friendly with them.
I accepted the offer.
Anyway.
With the school and product promotion both successfully wrapped up, and though no firm contracts yet, I'd secured investors to fund future inventions.
I could call this affair a success.
Dalpi and I returned to the mansion that way.
After spending a long time in a crowded place for the first time in ages, I was drained.
I caught my breath in the living room, sipping the coffee Dalpi prepared.
"Ahem, my throat's parched...."
I'd talked more than ever this time.
Even in the general exhibition, I had to explain products to visitors, and since I was the only member of the school, I had to handle it solo.
Dalpi, unable to stand it, stepped up midway to take over the presentation.
But product explanation apparently wasn't a maid's basic skill, as she stumbled badly.
-Uh, I think I can do it well after messing up just five more times.
-Um... I'll handle it.
-Sorry and thank you.
If Etilla hadn't helped midway... Ugh, can't even imagine.
"You worked hard."
"So many things happened...."
"As a reward, I'll massage your shoulders."
Ah, refreshing.
"Dalpi. You gathered all the letters, right?"
"Yes."
During those days, almost all letters to me were spam.
Excluding a few, they were filled with worthless content from one to ten.
Stuff like 'Got time tonight? Come to my territory. My new LINE ID: 4444' or 'UwU~ Hot evil boss looking for good slaves?'
I'd ignored them.
But now was different.
I'd participated in Babel to recruit talent to help commercialize magic tools.
Of course, there were other reasons, but that was the biggest.
I'd even run straight to Etilla upon seeing her, desperately begging her to join our tower.
Humans are social animals who can't live alone.
Companions weren't optional; they were essential.
That's why I'd asked the reporters earlier to include stories about our hiring in their issue.
However.
"...Fewer than expected?"
The results were underwhelming.
Compared to the flood after solving the Millennium Problem, it was disappointing.
"The Metal School's past failure probably played a big role. Regular mages are more interested in spells than magic tools, and those who specialize in tools prefer established mainstream schools."
"Tch...."
I'd thought Babel would cover for that somewhat.
No.
Having people interested at all was something.
Think positive.
I hadn't planned to hire masses from the start.
My direction was small elite team anyway.
If short on manpower, outsource it, heh.
As I steeled myself to read the letters.
"What, you were in the living room?"
"Sis, you're back?"
Haniell Sis, back from the medical association, poked her head in.
"Sit on the sofa. I'll bring tea."
Lately, Sis had been busy studying medicine.
After developing the camera, I had a ton more to handle too.
Unlike my unemployed days, we barely crossed paths now.
"I saw the articles. You made something amazing again?"
"You're too kind. No need for such praise."
"No. Even the people studying with me these days say you're incredible. But seriously, you can artificially make mithril?"
I nodded.
"As expected of my little brother!"
Sis was purely impressed.
She said it was a huge invention, making her proud to walk tall.
She ruffled my hair vigorously.
"Stop, there...."
Usually, siblings stop the gross petting once the younger one's an adult.
Did Sis still see me as a kid?
She unleashed a lethal dose of pats on this grown man.
"Really...."
"Hehe."
As we chatted like old times.
Dalpi returned with tea, and Sis placed one letter on the table.
"Oh, this fell. It was at the entrance."
"Thank you, Miss... Huh?"
Dalpi checked the contents.
It was a letter to me.
A servant reading a letter without the master's permission was a grave breach.
But with permission, it's fine.
Sorting needed from unneeded letters was always Dalpi's job.
"Hm...."
Dalpi's face stiffened.
Why the sudden unease?
"Shall I read it?"
"Yeah, please."
She began reading the letter.
Haniell and I watched casually.
However.
The moment we heard the sender's name, we couldn't help but mirror Dalpi's expression.